Sarasota's noise debate likely to be a long one

Published: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 11:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 11:43 p.m.

SARASOTA - Musicians are asking the city to preserve their livelihood. Condo residents are asking it to preserve their sleep. Both groups are asking each other to preserve a rational dialogue.

The conversation about outdoor music — and the future of downtown — has brought people of all ages and backgrounds to the bargaining table.

And it could be a long debate.

About 80 people attended a community workshop on the Sarasota noise ordinance Wednesday evening. Many said after the discussion that it had not changed their opinion of whether, or where, the city should get louder.

“We appear to be in the opening rounds of a polite street fight for the city’s future,” said Sean Duade, of the Sarasota Young Professionals Group.

At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Paul Caragiulo did not seem much closer to his goal of presenting a proposal for an improved noise ordinance to the City Commission in the next three to six months.

The debate over how Sarasota should regulate music has resurfaced repeatedly over the past two decades. The argument generally has pitted a younger crowd that wants more entertainment against older condo residents desperate to maintain peace.

Both sides have dissidents, and a multitude of views.

In the past few months, the Downtown Sarasota Condo Association supported pushing the limits on outdoor music an hour later and making it a bit louder in a certain area of downtown that, for now, is being referred to as an entertainment district.

But several residents of the condos at 100 Central and 50 Central Ave., and other condo dwellers near or in that area say the downtown condo association does not speak for them.

“What is the need you’re trying to fill?” 100 Central resident Frank Brenner asked the community, noting that both sides have said they want a more “vibrant” downtown.

“Whatever that means,” Brenner said. He believes an entertainment district would only create more problems. “This proposal, in my view, should be dead on arrival,” he said.

As Brenner wrapped up, a man near the back of the room blurted out, “Go home.”

The attendees were vocal, applauding or grumbling as dozens of people spoke. But many of them said it is a discussion that needs to continue.

It was the second community conversation on the topic. More than 40 showed up to the first, in October.

A couple of major concerns from that meeting — how to enforce decibel levels and measure the music — arose again Wednesday.

Currently, decibels must be measured from the property line of the business playing music, and people calling to complain can do so anonymously.

Condo residents voiced opinions on both sides of those issues, while many business owners and musicians wanted the noise to be measured at the source of a complaint and complainants to identify themselves.

There was a lot of confusion about decibel levels and how sound works. A couple of people suggested educating the public and commissioners — who will eventually decide whether an entertainment district is created — about sound.

Before the discussion even began Wednesday, Caragiulo assured the group the issue will be considered carefully and it is only in the initial stages of development.

“This is not something that’s going to be done with a stroke of a pen. Nor should it,” Caragiulo said.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - Musicians are asking the city to preserve their livelihood. Condo residents are asking it to preserve their sleep. Both groups are asking each other to preserve a rational dialogue. </p><p>The conversation about outdoor music — and the future of downtown — has brought people of all ages and backgrounds to the bargaining table. </p><p>And it could be a long debate.</p><p>About 80 people attended a community workshop on the Sarasota noise ordinance Wednesday evening. Many said after the discussion that it had not changed their opinion of whether, or where, the city should get louder.</p><p>“We appear to be in the opening rounds of a polite street fight for the city's future,” said Sean Duade, of the Sarasota Young Professionals Group. </p><p>At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Paul Caragiulo did not seem much closer to his goal of presenting a proposal for an improved noise ordinance to the City Commission in the next three to six months.</p><p>The debate over how Sarasota should regulate music has resurfaced repeatedly over the past two decades. The argument generally has pitted a younger crowd that wants more entertainment against older condo residents desperate to maintain peace. </p><p>Both sides have dissidents, and a multitude of views.</p><p>In the past few months, the Downtown Sarasota Condo Association supported pushing the limits on outdoor music an hour later and making it a bit louder in a certain area of downtown that, for now, is being referred to as an entertainment district.</p><p>But several residents of the condos at 100 Central and 50 Central Ave., and other condo dwellers near or in that area say the downtown condo association does not speak for them.</p><p>“What is the need you're trying to fill?” 100 Central resident Frank Brenner asked the community, noting that both sides have said they want a more “vibrant” downtown. </p><p>“Whatever that means,” Brenner said. He believes an entertainment district would only create more problems. “This proposal, in my view, should be dead on arrival,” he said. </p><p>As Brenner wrapped up, a man near the back of the room blurted out, “Go home.” </p><p>The attendees were vocal, applauding or grumbling as dozens of people spoke. But many of them said it is a discussion that needs to continue. </p><p>It was the second community conversation on the topic. More than 40 showed up to the first, in October. </p><p>A couple of major concerns from that meeting — how to enforce decibel levels and measure the music — arose again Wednesday.</p><p>Currently, decibels must be measured from the property line of the business playing music, and people calling to complain can do so anonymously.</p><p>Condo residents voiced opinions on both sides of those issues, while many business owners and musicians wanted the noise to be measured at the source of a complaint and complainants to identify themselves. </p><p>There was a lot of confusion about decibel levels and how sound works. A couple of people suggested educating the public and commissioners — who will eventually decide whether an entertainment district is created — about sound. </p><p>Before the discussion even began Wednesday, Caragiulo assured the group the issue will be considered carefully and it is only in the initial stages of development. </p><p>“This is not something that's going to be done with a stroke of a pen. Nor should it,” Caragiulo said.</p>